[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 183 (Thursday, September 21, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49003-49004]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-23456]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[AZ-024-05-3809-00; AZA-29237]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement 
Analyzing the Impacts of the Proposed Yarnell Mine Project, Yarnell, AZ

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Department of Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement 
for a proposed gold mine near Yarnell, Arizona.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the Bureau of Land 
Management, Phoenix District Office, intends to prepare an 
environmental impact statement on the impacts of a proposed gold mining 
and processing project near the town of Yarnell, in Yavapai County, 
Arizona. Yarnell Mining Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bema Gold 
(U.S.) Incorporated, has submitted a proposed mining plan of operations 
to the Bureau of Land Management, as required under the Code of Federal 
Regulations and Title V of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act 
of 1976. The Bureau of Land Management has responsibility for review, 
analysis, and approval of the mining plan. Preparation of the 
environmental impact statement will follow the Code of Federal 
Regulations, title 40, subpart 1500.
    The mining plan proposes conventional open-pit excavation, waste 
rock dumps, and cyanide heap leach processes to mine the Yarnell gold 
deposit over a period of approximately six years, with an additional 
two years for reclamation. The proposed project area includes 160 
acres, located 1.5 miles south of Yarnell and 70 miles northwest of 
Phoenix.
    The no action alternative and alternatives that consider various 

[[Page 49004]]
    engineering designs and impact mitigating measures will be analyzed. 
Anticipated issues include surface and groundwater quality, groundwater 
depletion, visual impacts, public safety, noise, air quality, effects 
of blasting, mine reclamation, impacts on socioeconomic values, and 
impacts on riparian, wildlife, and cultural resources.

DATES: Public scoping meetings will be held to determine issues of 
concern. Public meetings will be held at the following locations and 
times:
    (1) Wickenburg meeting: October 17, 1995, 6:00-9:00 p.m., at the 
Wickenburg Community Center, 160 North Valentine Street, Wickenburg, 
Arizona (520) 684-7656.
    (2) Yarnell meeting: October 18, 1995, 6:00-9:00 p.m., at the 
Yarnell Senior Citizens Center, 136 Broadway, Yarnell, Arizona (520) 
427-6401.
    (3) Prescott meeting: October 19, 1995, 6:00-9:00 p.m., at the 
Prescott Resort Conference Center, Cottonwood Room, 1500 Highway 69, 
Prescott, Arizona (520) 776-1666.
    Public input may be submitted during the public meetings or in 
writing to the address given in the section below. Public comments 
relating to the identification of issues will be accepted until 60 days 
from this publication date. There will be additional opportunities for 
public comment on completion of the draft environmental impact 
statement.

ADDRESSES: Written comments concerning the environmental impact 
statement should be submitted to the Bureau of Land Management, Attn: 
Gail Acheson, Area Manager, Phoenix Resource Area, 2015 West Deer 
Valley Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85027.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Connie Stone, EIS Project Manager, 
Bureau of Land Management, Phoenix Resource Area, 2015 West Deer Valley 
Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85027, telephone (602) 780-8090.

    Dated: September 15, 1995.
David J. Miller,
Associate District Manager.
[FR Doc. 95-23456 Filed 9-20-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-32-P